Nurses union meets with Providence administration to discuss issues in light of TB exposure

Thursday afternoon the El Paso nursing union representatives held a news conference outside Providence Memorial Hospital.

“Specific recommendations for TB at Providence Hospital are preliminary,” said Elsie Reyes, a registered nurse speaking for the National Nurses Organizing Committee.

Thursday afternoon the organization sat down with Providence Memorial’s administrators to propose some ideas that would ensure the safety of patients and staff at the hospital.

“We are advocating for a continued and expanded screening of those who may have been exposed,” said Reyes.

The group says they want the hospital to offer free testing for any individual or patient who may have been exposed to TB.

They say registered nurses are tested annually and they need to be retested in light of the recent exposure.

The nurses union also said it’s crucial they receive communication about the TB exposure and every step taken as soon as it’s available.

“We requested from the hospital administration that we have the same amount of information as anyone else in order to ensure patient safety and staff safety,” said Reyes.

Another topic discussed was sick leave.

Representatives say the few days allowed for sick leave is an issue with hospitals across the nation.

Reyes told ABC-7 bedside nurses have three sick days a year.

“We also feel our sick leave policies need to be revised so that people aren’t pressured to come to work sick,” said Reyes.

ABC-7 asked the nurses union if they felt the hospital administration would work with them on proposals and they say yes.

“They listened to us. They took our concerns into consideration and it’s a process to change so we are looking forward to hearing from them,” said Reyes.

The group said no timelines have been set to make the proposals concrete but they say hospital administration will work with them in a timely manner.